Frustrated...Need to Vent...

[jorgensensc]

I need to vent... I recently started a business and decided I needed to get back into these awesome trucks. I also considered getting a burb as that would probably work even better for me. (I need to carry finished products that should be covered, hence the Burb or a truck with a tonneu cover). The problem I have is that I CAN work on these trucks and I actuallyLOVE working on them. However right now I need to get one in pretty good shape so that I can have it be my daily driver and my customers won't be embarassed to have me in front of their houses.
I have readily noticed the rising prices of the Short Beds. Okay.. I can deal with that. Lets take a look at Long Beds... I have noticed that a lot of people are asking exhorbinent amounts for average trucks with rust. (this is NOT directed at anyone on this board. This is ALL outside the board.) With the exception of one fantastic truck found on this board, I can't seem to find what I want. The one truck I did find is a 3/4 truck and I really want a 1/2 ton. I would like coil spring rear also...
Which brings me to my rant.. I was reading the thread discussing where everyone got their truck. I noticed someone asked a neighbor and it was thiers... free. well I found one in the backyard of a neighbor who had their house for sale. It was a rusted out truck that I thought would be okay if it was free. Well i call the guy, he says that truck is not for sale, but he has another one that is a 1/2 ton cheyenne super long bed. He says it has some rust in the rockers and cab corners, but He just put a new rebuilt motor and rebuilt tranny in it and it drives great. He says that he was going to get the rust "bondoed" and repaint the truck himself then sell the truck for 3500-4000. I said " well could I buy it from you and fix the metal the right way myself. He says sure I'll take 2000.00 the way it sets. I rush over there this afternoon only to be coompletely disappointed . What I find is a Cheyenne with no usable body panels, rust in the cab and rockers, floorpans gone, rusted out holes inthe rain gutters, rust through all around the lip of the windshield, The back window is rusted out around it too. As for the motor and tranny, I don't know where he got the idea that the engine was rebuilt as it looked horrible. The tranny was the same. Then he tried to tell me the Q-Jet carb was from a '95 corvette. That's interesting since the '95 vettes were fuel injected LT1's.
Have I lost my mind? Have these trucks gone up soo much that you can't find a good daily driver for 3-4000? I can't seem to find a long bed let alone a short bed (what I REALLY want).I even like stepsides which noone else seems to dig?! And it seems the Burbs are either all rusted out or perfect and a small fortune. Sorry for the Rant, I just came home really disappointed!! I feel like hope is slipping away.
Thanks for the ear(eyes )
Shawn

[Palf70Step]

I have noticed that some too. Everyone has a goldmine, so they think. Good luck on the search. It can be really frustrating when you are trying to find a reasonable driver.

[Chevyholic]

Shawn,

What I found throughout my search is that there are quite a few people who either lack scruples, or are 80% blind and don't know it. It continues to amaze me how people will describe their vehicle for sale and once you arrive it is wholesale different than what was described.

I looked at a 66' once and flat out asked the guy selling if there was any "cancerous" rust anywhere. He said confidently "No". I show up and there are huge holes in the doors, rockers, floor boards, etc. I asked him how he missed the rust and his response was, "Oh, that's all easy to fix". Ok, but still doesn't explain the lie.

Keep your head up, they're out there. Just make sure you personally inspect everything. The prices are rising, but I think you should be able to find what you're looking for in your price range. Right now, from what I've seen, the best deals are in Oklahoma, but you will find some good stuff in Texas too. Be patient and good luck to you.

Cheers,
David

[rage'nrat638]

as soon as you quit looking you will find one

or as soon as you buy one the perfect one will come along

mine was from arizoina and i live in chicago..
so looking far away is a good thing. somewhere theres no salt..

[cdowns]

my mother used to say cheer up things could get worse----so i'd cheer up and sure enough things would get worse

[rage'nrat638]

Originally Posted by cdowns

my mother used to say cheer up things could get worse----so i'd cheer up and sure enough things would get worse

[Draggn66]

Shawn, don't give up. I was looking for the right deal for a while before I found my 71. The deals are out there but there hard to find when ya need something now. I drove all the way to central MO a couple years ago to get a 68 LWB that was in "great condition with no rust", Just had a rod knocking in the engine. Well 300 plus miles later I get there and when I open the door all I see is the ground! The cab was totally rusted. When I told the guy I was going to pass he says "hell that's a long way to drive without buying it" It was all my buddy could do to get me back in the truck. I really wanted to punch that Ahole in the head!

Just keep looking cause eventually it'll turn up!

[COACHMEASON]

Keep looking...Heck, there is one down the road from me w/ a 327...little rust...decent paint..I think they want 2700 or something...they are out there..

[GREASEMONKEY72]

i feel the same way to but dont just give up ....yet anyway.... they are out there its just a matter of having patence even though thats hard to do when you NEED something, i found my truck about an hour away from where i live for 3400 and its not the greatest truck out there but i love it and its mine and it is a pretty solid truck, you just gotta keep your head up and keep goin and youll find one trust me, i did

[70cst]

jorgensensc ...
One of the keys to finding your truck is patience and the other is being in the right place at the right time. Seven years ago I was initially looking for a 52-55 Chevy when I ran across my 70cst in the Truck Trader in Tn. I am convinced there are still plenty of good buys out there but patience is the key to finding the right truck at the right price. I would say look at the various internet auto sites and advertisers like Truck Trader. I agree that some are these trucks are priced to high. But as I said there were lots and lots of these trucks built between 1967- and 1972. Who knows…maybe you might find your truck through this site. Good Luck.

[Rascal_one2001]

I wa feeling really bad just like you about a month or so ago then I took about 2 hours driving around on some back roads looking around and found an old man who had a step side gmc for 300 just needed rockers and cab corners and needless to say it was in my back yard the next day and I also found a 70 c10 no rust full trim ac short bed all the options just sittin out side of what seems to be a crack house I tryed to ask people about it but every time i go there no one is home. diff cars in drive way but no one answers the door. thoses are my good one but too many more i found people want 2-3k for a pile of rust.

[Bus Ted Knuckle]

I looked for the perfect truck for years, finally settled on a RUSTY 72 long bed (for free at least) This truck sat outside with out a windshield for 20 years.

Then last week I went to the scrap yard and found a cherry of a loaded up CST longbed and bought it for the mouth dropping sum of 300 bucks.

I found this deal when I was not looking. You just may be that lucky too!

Get out and beat the backroads, you'll see them and when you do, ask if they are for sale. If they say no, drive around till you see another.

I have the opinion that the paper is the wrong place to look for a truck. The people that post in the paper know what they have and think they have a goldmine.

Get out with the Family and drive the back roads, have fun and find "the" truck. The price jsut might surprise you. The key is to stay patient until the right one comes along.

[uno67]

i see alot of nice looking long beds on cl here in tucson, try cl maybe you will have some better luck.

[jorgensensc]

THank you all for your words of encouragement! I hope I am not coming across as a whiner! I realize that others have started with less and with less of a budget. I am just trying to find something I can reliably take my 4 1/2 year old daughter to school in and also get me to and from the station and my customers homes without any drama. I understand there will always be a little drama, and I actually enjoy some of the drama! I just need to make the right decision and know that I can get what I need/ and want. Thanks again for all of the kind words!! I will keep looking. I just need to find a trailer and put some cash in my back pocket, fill up the gas tank, and go cruisin'!
Thanks again!
Shawn

[70cst]

with Bus Ted Knuckle
If you get a chance take drives through the back roads and if you can find one for sale by an individual who see's his truck as just a truck then that's where you will find your good deal.

[LockDoc]

-
The wife and I were out the last couple of days. Covered a couple hundred miles and saw at least six 67-72 trucks sitting along the road and behind buildings in Southern Iowa. My wife says I can smell 'em..... Believe it or not I didn't stop and check out any of them. I think the wifey thought I was sick or somthin'. In reality I have more to do now than I coud get done in a lifetime..... or two.

LockDoc

[N2TRUX]

Shawn have you been checking Craigslist? I have found quiet a few LWB trucks on there recently.

What's your budget? I'll keep you in mind while I am searching.

1970 Chevy Pickup - $3750-Link

[ratrod67]

I've noticed the prices of the LWB trucks going up as well. I've also noticed most of them aren't selling. Including mine. Keep looking. You'll find one.

[panhandler62]

I have no idea what your budget is but, I think I know where you can get a pretty nice GMC long bed. He's asking 6500 for it and it would cost you a bit to have it delivered, but if you want a nice driver in trun key condition -- it should fit the bill:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=roadside

I haven't seen it recently, but I think it's still for sale.

[estig70]

If you get a chance take drives through the back roads and if you can find one for sale by an individual who see's his truck as just a truck then that's where you will find your good deal.

Amen on that!!! I cruised the back roads when I decided to buy one of these trucks and stumbled across mine. Not even a "For Sale" sign was in the thing. The guy drove it every day about 10mi or so to and from work. It was just a truck to him. I stopped and asked if he would like to sell it and he abliged....................$2500.................SWEET!!!!!!! 70 4x4 Step side

I might add it did have a little rust in the usuall places.......rockers, cab corners, but what was surprising was the kick panel / floor board area was very minimal to almost none. They are out there it's just a matter of "How Bad Do You Want One". Persistance pays off my friend, Good luck!!!

[Dano69c10]

I hate to say it,
but the window of getting a cheap 67-72 is closing. When I bought my '69 for $600, it was at a time when these truck really weren't being restored. Now everybody wants one, high school kids, soccer moms etc.
I had always liked the body style so when I saw one for sale I bought it. Just as with any classic, there was a time when they could be had for cheap. I bought a '69 Camaro for $500, a '63 Nova for $800 etc., but those days are long gone.
Fast forward to the last couple of years and I bought my '70 for $5K on eBay. Believe me, this truck needed about 60 hours of work just to get it roadworthy.
Alot of people talk about coming to California to buy a non rust truck, but don't count on it. These vehicles are 30 some years old so even in Cal expect rusted rockers, floors and cab corners. It seems around here that a LWB with rust will go for anywhere from 2k -3k, and a SWB with rust will go from 4k-5k. Anything in better condition with no rust is either not for sale or LWB's are 3k+ and SWB's are 5k+. Anything cheaper will look like a parts truck. Now if you're lucky you will find a gem for a good price, but remember it is not the norm.
If I were you, I would tell everyone I know that I am looking for a 67-72 and if they see one to let me know. Sometimes, someone like the secretary at work might tell you that her uncle is trying to get rid of his truck.
Be careful driving the "backroads", especially in SoCal because these types of places are not very safe, forget bringing the wife and kids. Bring a couple of intimidating looking friends with you.
Lastly keep looking on this board, Craigslist, eBay, the Stovebolt website and "Old Chevy Trucks for Sale" website and be prepared to open your wallet if you're looking for a nice driver.

Good Luck and Godspeed with your search!

Just my recent obsevations which are not even worth 2 cents.
Dano

[john@thepier]

What I have always seen is that the good trucks are located far away. Most people just will not drive long distances to purchase a truck that they want. I have traveled many a mile for the trucks I own, some were deals and some I payed the asking price. It will boil down to how bad do you want it. Morl here is be prepared with the cash in hand and ready for a road trip when a good truck comes for sale.

[WyoRoadDog]

Look farther north too... I see a lot of these trucks still driving around here (WY) and Nebraska. Not necesssarily all rusted out, it is so dry here, despite the winters. Also, I remember HotRodHenryJ (?), had a '67 GMC lwb for sale, I think he's in Lake Havasu, AZ, still a trip, but maybe not as bad for you. I wanted it, but the distance, and the accountant (wife) aren't going for it.

[71chevylowrider]

Here ya go, maybe this will cheer you up.

http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/car/281246846.html

[71chevylowrider]

Here's another good deal.

http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/car/280393071.html